Camping near Tunkhannock, PA

Tunkhannock sits along the Susquehanna River in northeastern Pennsylvania's Wyoming County at an elevation of 614 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Spring brings frequent rainfall that keeps the surrounding forests and streams vibrant, creating ideal conditions for late spring through fall camping when most area campgrounds operate at full capacity.

What to do

Waterfall hiking at Ricketts Glen State Park: Located about 25 miles from Tunkhannock, Ricketts Glen State Park offers extensive trail systems with 44 miles of trails rated from easy to difficult. "The hike is definitely not for the easily winded people, or anyone with bad knees, the hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained! and the hike back up was again steep but maintained!" notes reviewer Anne P.

Boulder Field exploration: The unique natural formation at Hickory Run State Park provides an unusual outdoor adventure. "The boulder field was the highlight of our camping trip. The campground has great playgrounds, several well-marked trails, and functional (if dirty and rustic) restrooms and showers," states reviewer Shayna, who recommends visiting this geological wonder approximately 45 miles from Tunkhannock.

Creek activities: Enjoy fishing and wading in local waterways at Cozy Creek Family Campground, located directly in Tunkhannock. "My son and I camp here every year. Great fishing, clean facilities and friendly, super helpful staff," reports John Z., highlighting the accessible water recreation options available without leaving town.

What campers like

Large, private sites: Campground selection often depends on site size and spacing. "We had site 44 in the Stony Point loop and it was by far the largest campsite on the property. We had a thick covered wooded area to our right and a huge grassy area to the left," notes Jackie F. about her stay at Frances Slocum State Park.

Lake recreation: Multiple lakes near Tunkhannock offer various water activities. Reviewer Janet R. describes Lackawanna State Park as "an amazing state park that has something for everyone. There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails." The park is approximately 20 miles east of Tunkhannock.

Extensive trail networks: Hiking opportunities abound throughout the region. "Great hiking! There are various trails for all skill levels, and pets are welcome!" writes Lexi about Ricketts Glen State Park, highlighting the accessibility options available to hikers of different abilities.

What you should know

Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds experience occasional water issues. At Ricketts Glen, seasonal testing sometimes reveals problems: "The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth."

Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "Site was pretty nice, but there is very little privacy as the sites are so close to each other. Also no service (Verizon)," reports T K. about their stay at Ricketts Glen State Park.

Reservation requirements: Especially for summer weekends, securing sites well in advance is essential. "We had a reservation, we received a phone call in advance of our stay letting us know about this," notes one Ricketts Glen camper regarding water issues, demonstrating that reservations enable campground staff to communicate important updates.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Highland Campgrounds in nearby Dalton offers family-friendly facilities. "Whether it's nature and back roads, or wanting to have a dip in the pool and lay in the sun, this campground is the best of both worlds. Playground is also older but also gives off the vintage look with some of the older, older swings and sit spin," writes Jennifer R.

Swimming options: Multiple water recreation choices exist for families with children. "The park has great playgrounds, several well-marked trails, and functional (if dirty and rustic) restrooms and showers," reports a visitor to Hickory Run State Park, adding that "the visitors center boasts the most modern updates and a truly lovely interactive museum displaying the history and current wildlife of the park."

Educational opportunities: Some parks provide learning activities. "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails," notes Janet R. about Lackawanna State Park, highlighting structured educational options for children.

Tips from RVers

Hookup reliability: Check electrical service capacity when booking. "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained," warns David about his experience at Lackawanna State Park.

Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry and exit routes. "A little difficult to get out of the campground though. We basically had to wait in line for 20 minutes while a couple people in front of us were trying to get out of their sites," observes Gayle B. about Shore Forest Campground near Hop Bottom.

Leveling requirements: Terrain varies between campgrounds and even between loops. "Our full hookup site was large with table and fire ring, and required some leveling. Not much shade in the full hookup loop, so was happy to have electricity for A/C," notes James S. about his experience at Ricketts Glen.